MUMBAI: Keen to revive his Test career and running out of time to make a case for inclusion in India's squad for the big tour Down Under in November, Shreyas Iyer will be eager to score runs and remind the national selectors of his potential.
Mumbai, riding the rare high of being the reigning Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup champions, begin their Ranji title defence against Baroda at the brand-new Kotambi International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Friday.
In a topsy-turvy year, Iyer has seen ups and downs. He lost his BCCI contract due to a perceived reluctance to play Ranji Trophy matches but also enjoyed success, playing a crucial part in Mumbai's Ranji triumph and leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title.
However, his red-ball form this season has been modest-he scored two fifties in three matches (six innings) during the Duleep Trophy, and 57 and 8 in the Irani Cup tie in Lucknow.
This season, Mumbai will have a new-look team. Young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who impressed for Knight Riders in the IPL but is recovering from a back injury, is likely to play at No. 3 in the absence of the injured Musheer Khan. Teenager Ayush Mhatre, who scored 19 and 14 on his first-class debut in the Irani Cup, is set to make his Ranji Trophy debut as well.
SKY to play in second match
Meanwhile, India T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav is expected to feature in Mumbai's second Ranji match, against Maharashtra, at the MCA's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground from October 18.
